The 20th annual Festival of Trees is set for Dec. 5-6 at the Hermiston Conference Center. (Photo: NEO Now)

The annual Hermiston Festival of Trees helped kick start the holiday season this past weekend as crowds filled the Hermiston Conference Center to take in the Christmas-themed sights and raise money for local organizations.

The event got under way on Saturday with wine tasting, dinner and a live auction. Sunday was Family Day as folks of all ages took part in activities and had their pictures taken with Santa. Christmas trees decorated by businesses, organizations and service clubs were placed throughout the conference center. The trees were auctioned off with proceeds going to the Good Shepherd Community Health Foundation and the Kiwanis Breakfast Club of Hermiston.

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entirely free-access website serving Hermiston and surrounding cities, developed through a partnership with Umatilla Electric Cooperative and Good Shepherd Health Care System.